November, 2017 | Water Dog Site

Natchez Trace Parkway To Alabama

Friday November 17^th

Plan to go somewhere in Mississippi. Left around 9:45am. Headed south on 82 by Lake Village then south on 65 to Tallulah LA then east on I-20 to Vicksburg. Crossed the Misssisssippi. At Vicksburg (now in Mississippi) took 27 south (got fuel at corner) to the Natchez Trace Parkway and then headed southeast.

Great open green fields to run dog’s with chuck it and ball.

Stopped at a few of the historic markers. Natchez parkway is a 441 mile trail from somewhere in TN to Natchez MI. People used to float goods down MI river to Natchez and then walk back. Also used by Indians. Natchez the town sounds like a good place to visit for a couple days. During its heyday ½ of all millionaires in US lived there and there are many mansions left that survived the war. We went by Natchez state park on this little cut off road (Maybe 353) then picked up 84 east. Looking for Clear Springs recreation area. It was off Providence then Clear Springs road(county road 104 but never saw it named that). There was a brown sign indicating turn through. Four miles south on Clear springs road to the campground. Another national forest campground with electric and water again. ½ of camp closed but we got a great site (#2) on the edge of the lake created by damming the creek. Unfortunately the lake has silted in so not clear aka not good for swimming dog or people. We walked around the lake, camp host said 1 mile hike but it twas 2miles. A bit much for me leg but I made it. We chilled, had asparagus for dinner. I showered and then we crashed.

Saturday November 18^th

Heading to Point Clear, Alex’s dads place. Got up at 6am. Left around 9am. Out to the highway 98 and headed east. Stopped at a little donut shop along the way in Summit to get breakfast biscuit. A stop at CVS to pick pick up Advil then diesel just outside of Mobile. Arrived at Dads around 2:45pm. Emptied camper and had nice dinner out at supper club

Sunday November 19th

Day 3 dinner at Wash house, the next day discovered dad left credit card and went back next day to recover

Frances, Dad and Alex Fairhope Inn Lunch

Natural Falls State Park to Hot Springs National Park Ending At Chicot Lake State Park

Wednesday November 15^th

Left Natural Falls state park and heading for Queen Wilhelmena state park in SE Arkansas. Backtracked 7 miles or so on 412 alternate (412 was pay turnipike) to scenic Hwy10 south. It followed the Illinois river. We stopped at the Peavine Hollow river access point which had camping and was where we presumed rafts are launched and picked up by river operators. Played a bit with dogs and some swimming then on south.

Stopped to stretch legs at a gas station near Tahlequah and alex got a BBQ sandwich which was good. On south on 82 by Tenkiller lake to Vian. Then on 64 to Salisaw where we got fuel and then headed south on 59 to 270 through the Ouachita National Forest. Nasty weather. A rain front had hit us at natural falls and we were following it so very foggy with drizzle…supposed to be scenic but not much view. Tried to takd HWY 1 in Ok/88 in ARK but so nasty we aborted and backtracked 4 miles to 270. Took 270 east into Ark then up to Queen Wilhelmina State park.

Solid fog and nasty. We checked out lodge (Ok not too grand and maybe no bar). We would have gotten one of their dog friendly rooms but they were booked. Checked out campground but decided to leave (later found out this was bad decision as alex was mad the rest of the day cause we left). Headed east on 270 thorough Mena then HWY 88 towards Hot Springs (61 miles). Rejoined with 270 at Pencil Bluff. Pulled off to check out a few spots ie Shirley creek but no camping. Were resigned to hotel or Treasure Isle RV park but then saw NF campground Charlton! Pulled in there and spent the night. Nice creek and even a waterfall (man made). Nice empty camp though. Half the campsites were closed near the water and this is due to potential flooding! They had signs all over park saying this is high water mark and it was about up to my neck. It was nice. Had weak cell service.

Thursday November 16^th

Left around 9am. Drove to Hot Springs National Park and checked it out. Developed in late 1800 and preserved by US government before National parks were a thing. Went to”bath house Row” and checked out the visitor center which was in one called the Fordyce Bath House named after the colonel who built it. Nice museum and old architecture.

Fordyce Bath House Medieval Looking Instruments

Then left there around 11am and drove to Chicot Lake State Park which is in very southeast Arkansas. East on 270 to Pine bluff then SE on 65 towards Lake Village. Before lake village headed east to the big 22 mile long 1 mile wide oxbow lake (natural from Mississippi river). Small state park. Had nice lake front spot with cypress. We were in site number 114. Marina where you can rent fishing boat or kayaks. Took a short walk to nature trail then early to bed (fish taco dinner). Still pretty lame due to knee injury but can do easy walks.

Guymon (OK) to Natural Falls State Park (OK)

Monday November 13^th

Late start as we did internet and had breakfast in hotel. Left Guymon continued east on 412. Ended up at Lake McMurty Park/recreation area. Has east and west side areas. I researched at OK state park site and determined best sites were on West side so we went there. Hwy 412 east to I-35 south, jigged over to Hwy 77 then Bronco road (E0580 road) to the lake. We had site number 5. Nice view of lake, Utilities and free wi fi. Had campground all to ourselves. (site 4 at lake McMurtry west). There are trails but we did not walk any due to me being Gimpy from knee sprain.

Tuesday Nov 14^th

Woke up and slow start. Left around 10:30 or so. About 200 miles to drive. Headed out from Lake McMurtry east to get to highway 177 south to highway 51 east. Stopped in Stillwater for fuel. 51 runs into 412 at Tulsa so there we transferred to 412 east. Then for lunch at Flo’s burgers in Catoosa. Continued on 412 East, past Flint to our stop at Natural Falls State Park Camp Ground.

Had site 21 which was nice as was on a bluff. PJS took her first walk wihtout crutches. Had picked up a brace at Walmart. We walked Dripping springs trail. Saw the natural falls, walked to bottom then along creek over bridge and back up…may have been too much. Iced leg and Ibuprofen for dessert after dinner of broccoli and soup. Alex had broccoli and left over pizza.

Taos to Cimarron Via Johnson Mesa highway

Saturday November 11^th

Got off 9 am or so. Drove into Taos. Had breakfast then walked the town square which had a farmers market. It was Veterans Day so they were having some ceremonies for veterans. Then drove the Cimarron Canyon highway. Through Angel fire and Eagles nest. Eagles nest lake area beautiful but after fall colors quite brown. Would be awesome if green or fall colors. Then down the canyon. Many hikes to do along canyon but me still on crutches so no hiking.

Cimarron Canyon highway

Checked out the campgrounds which were ok but with plan to meet Kara and Christoff for dinner decided to stay at Ponil Campground in bustling town of Cimarron (not really :)). Explored Cimarron, very small and much of the businesses closed. Bought a knife for Calvin at the trading post.

Had dinner with Kara and Christoff at the St James Hotel and then back to camp.

Got a kick out of this for some reason. Noticed small yard with Deer inside fence, thought it was weird some one would keep Deer in such small area. Then had Deer jump out of Deer fence and exit. Effective electric fence eh?

Sunday November 12^th

Left around 9:45am. Drove north on 64 to Raton then right turn. Had choice to go low at base of mesa or high. We took the high road: Johnson Mesa highway up and over mesa (8200 feet). Wanted to take the Cimarron high scenic highway but 25 miles is dirt so aborted. Ultimately ended up on on Highway 412 in Oklahoma panhandle. Was trying to get to Boiling springs state park but became apparent not going to make that, so then picked Beaver Dunes state park. However when we hit Guyman we stopped at Walmart for a brace and supplies and then it was nearly 5pm and getting towards dark. Got fuel and decided to stay in hotel. Stayed at Quality Inn. Had leftovers and ordered pizza (from Mazzio’s, not good) and then bedtime. Holly’s first night in a hotel, annoying pup as usual. Terra had a spa night. Please note our protective dog sheet on bed…we do try to do stealth dog in bed at dog friendly hotels.

El Morro National Monument

Thursday, November 9th

Left Larry and Leslies, I 17 south to Camp Verde (left around 10am). Headed east on 260 through a bunch of little towns. Then cut north on 61 over little Colorado river and continued east. Hwy renamed 53 when in New Mexico. Was going to go to blue water state park but decided to go to El Morro National monument. Small campground, almost full. We were authorized by rangers to stay handicap site which I kind of am still handicapped. Dinner was bruschetta and green beans. Early bed. COLD.

Friday November 10^th

Woke up at the national monument. Banana breakfast then off to the monument. I did the ½ mile walk to the pool at the base of the rock and we saw the inscription rock. Did it all on crutches. Armpits got sore. Then headed east on 53 to I-40. Exited off this on Coors rd and went north to stop at Triple AAA office. Joined via the app and picked up maps. Discovered no more campgrounds in guides, bought two woodalls which are worthless so a bummer. Back on to I-25 north, through Sante Fe then took High Scenic HWY to Taos which meant…285 to 503 to 76 and then a tiny bit on 75 then north on 518. Getting late so we stopped in Carson National forest and pulled off Picuris road to camp

From Website a scenic loop: Please allow some extra time to enjoy this unique scenic byway and its tiny villages along the way. Route: From Taos Plaza, Hwy. 68 south to Ranchos de Taos; Hwy. 518 east; Hwy. 75 west to Peñasco; Hwy. 76 south to Trampas, Truchas, Cordova and Chimayó; Hwy. 68 south to Santa Fe; Hwy. 68 north to Española and Taos.

Larry and Leslies Camp Verde Arizona

November 8^th, Wednedsay

Hung at Larry and Leslies since I am very hurt

Went to lunch at Page Springs Vineyard where Leslie works (she’s manager now) and sat around chilling. Alex and Leslie took dogs down to Beaver Creek while Larry and I napped. Went to dinner at nearby Mexican restaurant (Tapatio’s) and then hung a little at the house before bed.

Big Bend National Recreation area, Laughlin , Kingman Camp Beale Loop

November 7^th, Tuesday

We left Big Bend National Recreation area, went through Laughlin and near Kingman we hiked the Camp Beale Loop. 3.2 miles, counter clockwise. Rough on dog paws (prickers) but nice easy walk, some nice views.

Drove east on 40 taking a little detour to Peach Springs (Hualapai indian reservation) and got some gas and coffees. Looks like some roads would go north to the south rim but its on the reservation so would need to investigate if this can be done. We were on route 66 doing this detour. Back to I-40, stopped in Williams at Safeway and got Bailey’s then south on 17 from Flagstaff to Rimrock (Larry and Leslie’s)

Shortly after arrived Holly and Cody were playing and they ran right into my left leg. Took me down and sprained my knee bad. Very bad, cannot walk, they had crutches which I have used since. I am afraid they may have ruptured cruciate and that I won’t be able to walk for awhile. Screwed… as no hiking for weeks and painful and can’t do anything.

Thant night we went out to a friend of theirs Italian restaurant YUM. Forgot the name 🙁

Mahogany to Sherman Pass Road

November 6^th, Monday

Left camp around 8:30AM, drove out from Mahogany to Sherman pass road. Drove down Sherman Pass. Drive down Sherman pass road was unique. We basically are on a high dessert (Kern Plateau) then down to 395.

Shermon Pass Road View Of Kern Plateau

Drove south on 395 then cut over to I-40. Stopped in Barstow for Gas and then Von’s for groceries. Nice weather, warm and drove east. Planned to stay in RV park with Utilities near Kingman but as we drove up River road cut off from Needles to Laughlin we found a Nevada State Park within the Big Bend of the Colorado River State recreation area (on Needles hwy). Not too crowded, clean, huge sites for $30 and we walked down to Colorado River in evening and dogs had a swim. Then could rinse and dry them!

Big Bend Of The Colorado State Recreation Area Camp Ground

Alex very tired so went to bed at 7pm. I watched a movie. Had leftovers for din din…easy.

Planning on visiting Larry and Leslie tomorrow.

Sherman Pass

Sunday November 5^th, plan to go up and over Sherman Pass road, 9200 foot pass…the highest if not nearly highest pass in CA.

Shermon Pass South Creek FallsWent by a turn off to trail of 100 giants, should come do again. Foggy on the way up but got progressively clearer. Stopped to take a picture of south creek falls: pretty very precipitous fall off cliff right near road. Went through Johnsondale (tiny group of cabins) and then checked out Brush Creek dispersed camp. Twas nice but dirty. Hiked up and down Brush Creek which was nice but technical. We should have brought walking sticks and worn hiking shoes.

We passed Johnsdale bride over Kern and skipped the trails there (one goes to tea cup falls)

Drove a bit south on highway heading towards Kernville and Limestone campground looked nice but was closed.

Up and over the pass, pretty drive and views but lots of dead trees…a bit of snow on trees. Passed Rincon trail and others. Big OHV, motorcycle and/or cross country ski area. Checked out Troy Meadows campground, not special, huge, a few edge sites near entrance had slight meadow view. Then turned on a forest road to Mahogany… meadows? Drove to end of road (3 miles, dirt, well maintained) and dispersed camp at end. Tiny creek below camp. Weather station, good fire pit.

Had fire and Alex cooked pork tenderloin and we had left over couscous/peas and a bit of broccoli.
Alex slept poorly…..so he will be tired.

First Day Out From Milpitas, CA

Saturday Novemeber 4^th, 2017

Left the house kind of late as had to finish packing camper and had a truck/camper connection for lights snafu.

Raining hard when left. Stopped by PJS Health center, lunch at a burger joint in Gilroy and then east on 152. Went through Los Banos then south on 99. Stayed about 7 miles west of Earlimart at Colonel Allenswoth State Historic Park. This is a ghost “town” created by an African American Chaplain Leiutenent colonel for African Americans to live independently. About a dozen restored houses with Church, Store etc.